WHEY PROTEIN EXPLAINED

WHEY PROTEIN – WHAT IS IT? IS WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE OR WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE BETTER? ALONG WITH OUR TOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU.

What is Whey Protein?

Whey protein is a higher quality protein than regular whey, milk, egg or soy. And because whey is packed full of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) – leucine, isoleucine, valine – it may help preserve lean muscle tissue between workouts or when dieting. Compared to the other proteins on the market, whey is one of the fastest digesting proteins.

A growing number of studies have found whey may potentially reduce cancer rates, combat HIV, improve immunity, reduce stress and lower cortisol, increase brain serotonin levels, improve liver function in those suffering from certain forms of hepatitis, reduce blood pressure, and improve performance, to name a few of its potential medical and sports related applications.

WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE:

Protein concentrates are created by pushing the protein source (milk, whey, etc.) through a very small filter that allows water, minerals, and other organic materials to pass though. The proteins, which are too big to pass through the filter, are collected, resulting in protein powder. When this process is used to make whey protein concentrate, it yields a protein powder that is 70-85% protein and up to 5% lactose. People with lactose intolerance will have trouble consuming large amounts of whey protein concentrate.

Advantages of Concentrated Whey:

Concentrates are more economical per gram of protein. They have a low lactose level that is well tolerated by most lactose-sensitive people. They have trivial amounts of fat and carbs relative to your overall nutrient intake.

WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE:

This is the next step up in purification; the protein is purified again using more filtration or a technique called ion-exchange or cross-flow microfiltration. Protein isolates have very low levels of carbohydrates and fat and are almost exclusively pure protein. People with lactose intolerance usually don’t have trouble with whey protein isolates.

Advantages of Isolated Whey:

Isolates are virtually fat-free, and if you are lactose intolerant and you have problems with gas then the whey protein isolate is the better choice. Isolates tend to taste slightly better than concentrates, too, yet their consistency is a little thinner, without the fat.

But because isolate is more “pure” doesn’t necessarily mean that whey isolate is better or will produce more and greater muscle growth. Whey protein concentrate is still an excellent source of protein.